Blue Jean Related Incident...

Well....perhaps you have heard.

There has been a Blue Jean related incident.

(Look for it on CNN)

I would not have guessed there was any risk off pulling a tag off of my new jeans...

However, now....I am wiser. 

Today, I am also the recipient of one freshly broken Mallet Finger. 

What never heard of it? Yeah, me neither before Tuesday. 

Today, I type as a schooled veteran on the subject...

and by type, I of course mean peck like a lethargic chicken.

 What are the odds Brooke Shields ever had this problem?

Slim. 

Like her jeans.

As I was complaining about how hard painting my nails and texting have become....

God sent a reminder across my TV by way of Bethany Hamilton on Amazing Race.    

Crickets.

Jesus has made beauty from the ashes in her life. 

He wants to do the same in each of our's.

All of us have something broken, don't we?

"My body and my heart may grow weak.

    God, you give strength to my heart.
    You are everything I will ever need." -Psalm 73:26

God, Thank You for not just being our splint, but being our Healer. Thank You for making the broken...beautiful.

In His Dust,

DCC

Waiting...

So I may or may not have waited in a long line on Friday morning.... 

in the dark, for this....

On the brighter side....

I did not however build a fort and spend the night in one of these, like some people....

The excitement in the waiting was palpable.....

and in some areas, a tad disturbing. 

As I waited, I was reminded, that I am not good at waiting. Not just for an iPhone but for bigger things....things that keep you awake at night, and cause anxiety in the day.

I thought about how God rewards those who wait. Those who rest in Him during the storms will be and are blessed.

For example....an unexpected late arrival of the right color and size. (It's the little things....) 

When we Trust God in our waiting, He gives us the strength to keep going.

"Wait for The Lord;Be strong, and let your heart take courage; 

wait for The Lord!" ~Psalm 27:14

God, Thank You for your patience with us....over and over again. You show up for us in the exact way and time we need it.

In His Dust,

DCC

What Can You Bring....

15 years ago, we set up folding chairs on a Sunday morning 

and attempted to worship God in cold looking gym.

We showed up and Jesus was waiting there for us...

with much bigger plans than we could have imagined.

15 years of faith and stepping out of the boat.....

God has blessed this place and the people touched by it.

Similar to the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch in order to feed the 5,000. (John 6:9-15)
Neither of us had any idea how big, how far and how wide God would show Himself this place...and to the people in and outside of its walls.

 "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had done." ~John 6:14

The boy brought a little bit of lunch. 

We brought uncomfortable folding chairs 

What can you bring today?
Can you bring Him a little bit of your fear?

A little bit of your pain? Little bit of Your anxiety?

I bet you will be blown away with what He can do with it.

He can take it and make it better.

I promise and more importantly He does too.

God, We bless You for the amazing things you do and for letting us see them.

In His Dust,

DCC

Backpacks...

Last week our church community had the opportunity to take backpacks, filled with school supplies, to Somalian refugees right in our backyard. 

Somalia....hmmmmm.

Here is what I know....In 1985 we sat in Mrs. Moore's Geography class.

 (1st period, our Senior Year) 

Stacey, Francie and I were way to busy flirting with Shawn, Harding and Grady 

to be worrying about where Somalia was....

Which is how I ended up Googling "Somalia" in 2014....

Which is what lead me to believe I would soon be meeting up with Johnny Depp.  

He was not there when I arrived. Nor was he there when I left hours later.

Here is who was. 

and here is what I actually learned about Somalia.

It is filled with people that God loves and listens to.

Little girls who just want to go to school safely 

 parents who want to provide an education for their children.... 

I was reminded that Our Father, cares about details....not just starving kids in Africa.

Sometimes God knows his children would be thrilled to pieces over a box of Kleenex..

and He shows up with it!

He hears all of our hearts...

He carries them, as well as us on His Very Own Back.

I quickly noticed this angel face in red, 

She began to put her precious self and smiling face into every family picture we took-

 (Which tickled me to no end.) 

She locked eyes with me and stepped right up to the camera....

like she had 90 problems, but being precious wasn't one of them.

As I watched family after family walking up to receive their backpacks...

I was shown by God, that these Somalian Refugees were giving US the gift. 

"How beautiful the feet of those on the mountain

    who declare the good news of victory, of peace and liberation." -Isaiah 52:7

THEY were bringing us the good news, that God answers prayers.

    

Some people just take your breath away and with one glance, 

you might forever be changed....

 "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce 

The Message of God's Good News to one and all." ~Mark 16:15

Most days, going "in to the world" might mean you don't even have to leave your zip code.

God, Thank You for making it so easy for us to serve you...and in doing so, receive ten-fold.

His Dust,

DCC  

Community....

Well, my career has gone up a notch since we last spoke.

I performed a feline funeral. 

Yes. You read that correctly....last rites on a stranger's cat.

I left a friend's house the other day and there was a couple down the street, standing over a cat.

They yelled from about 4 houses down- "is this your's?!"

Me: "no, ma'am."

Them: "Are you sure?"

Me: "Yes, ma'am"

in my head voice:

"I am pretty sure I don't have a cat. Therefore, yes, I am sure it's not mine."

There had been a hit and run...and a non involved couple stopped

to see if they could help.

They were upset and not knowing how to find owner....I suggested looking at the collar,which is when I learned the cat's name was "Blossom."

I got lost for a moment remembering... 

The next thing I know, I was on the phone with the cat's owner....and heard myself asking,  "is this Blossom's family?" 

(I didn't need to clarify, it was not Miyam Balik I was inquiring about.)

Moments later Blossom's Dad showed up...and was met by complete strangers, We all stood together, to mourn the loss of his family member.

I offered prayer and my best shot at condolences.

Sometimes, Community looks weird....and different...

however, as long as it looks like love, it's the real deal.

 "So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. 

Never be without it." -Colossians 3:12,14

God, Thank You for putting people in all of our lives that "get" us.

In His Dust,

DCC

I Will Remember....

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friends." ~John 15:13

For many people...Memorial Day is not just a Monday that "kicks off" Summertime...

Memorial day is EVERY day.

Today, on what would be his 93rd Birthday...I remember my Grandfather, Con Mims, Jr. and although I never met him. 

I know all about him....

and 

I will remember.

I know of his character and love because he lives on through my Mom and Uncle Con, and for 67 years, through the love of my precious Grandmother, Momo. 

I know, very clearly, why they are the greatest generation.

I know and... 

I will remember.

I also know that just as they are together today.....

we too, will ALL meet and be together one day.

I will remember....

The heavy price paid.

I will remember that we are loved and fully known by God, 

Who completely understands paying a heavy price. 

"You were bought at a price." ~1 Corinthians 6:20a

God, Thank You for the life of this man, Con Mims, Jr. and all of those who gave their lives alongside of him. Please give the peace that passes all understanding to all of those who have lost loved ones in the service of our country.
Thank you for sending Your Son, who bought our Eternal Freedom with the incomparable price.

In His Dust,

DCC

May 5th...Happy Bday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

It is not rare, nor has it ever been..
For me to see my Mom give away a purse, while she was still using it...
all because some one said they wanted one just like it. 

For me to see my Mom take a pin off the blouse she was wearing, 
all because a perfect stranger said it would match her outfit 

For me to see my Mom anonymously buy lunch for countless soldiers, 
or give them very heartfelt, eye to eye, thank you.

For me to figure out she has left gift on people's front porches without a note...
or cupcakes in my very own kitchen. 

She most certainly does not forget to show hospitality to strangers and loved ones alike.

You walk away from seeing her and know that you matter..
you know that you have been heard....
you know you are loved....

If you've known her for 30 minutes, or 60 plus years, 

you're nodding your head as you read this.

She celebrates every moment- of everyday- no matter the circumstances. 

She's a survivor- a joy bringer-a life giver- she is our very own real life giving tree.

Today- I celebrate HER!

. 

Thank You God, for choosing her to be mine.

In His Dust,
DCC